BELLVILLE — Mitch Dulin’s postseason résumé speaks for itself.
The Richland Source Pitcher of the Year, Dulin is 6-1 in the playoffs the past two years. His one loss came in last week’s Division III state semifinals — a 2-1 loss to eventual state champ Warren Champion.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore right-hander threw 120 pitches in 6.1 innings. He scattered eight hits, struck out five and walked three.
“Mitch battled,” Clear Fork coach Rusty Staab said afterward. “He threw a lot of pitches, but he kept fighting.”
Nobody will ever question the fight in Dulin. He fired a two-hit shutout in Clear Fork’s 2-0 win over Ottawa-Glandorf in the regional semifinals and surrendered four hits in a 9-1 win over Edison in the district semifinals.
“I just get zoned in,” Dulin said after the regional victory over Ottawa-Glandorf. “ I just have that attitude that I’m there to win and that’s my job.”
Dulin was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team selection and a second team pick in District 9. He had five wins during the regular season with 2.44 earned run average and 49 strikeouts.
Dulin isn’t the only ace on the All-Richland Source pitching staff.
Lexington’s Jared Stickler was selected the Ohio Cardinal Conference Pitcher of the Year, helping the Minutemen reach the Division II regional championship game. The junior had four regular-season wins with a 0.97 ERA and 30 strikeouts. He was selected to the District 9 second team.
Shelby won the final Northern Ohio League championship thanks largely to Hunter Hoffman. The sophomore led the area with eight regular season wins. He struck out 39 with a 0.65 ERA, earning a spot on the District 9 first team.
Plymouth’s Austin Nester led the area with a 0.47 ERA during the regular season, helping the Big Red reach the Division IV district semifinls. Nester was a Firelands Conference and District 9 first team pick after striking out 40.
Brennan Armstrong will play quarterback at the University of Minnesota, but Shelby’s left-hander was the most dominant closer in north central Ohio. Armstrong had seven saves and earned a spot on the District 9 first team. He was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection.
